EPSU calls for rejection of so called ‘innovation principle’

Innovation principle - Horizon Europe regulation & programme - image from Corporate Europe Observatory

(11 December 2018) Tomorrow 12 December Members of the European Parliament will be voting on the Horizon Europe regulation and programme. Industry lobbies have proposed to introduce an “innovation” principle in this legislation. EPSU asks MEPs to reject this principle.

This innovation principle would require the Commission to investigate the potential effect of legislIation on research and innovation, during the “impact assessment" phase of the legislative process, before it is submitted to the Parliament and Council for democratic debate

It is ill defined and will be used to undermine health and safety, environmental and consumer protections. It has been revealed recently by Corporate Europe Observatory in a very detailed study using documents obtained through public information requests https://corporateeurope.org/environment/2018/12/innovation-principle-trap that it is the expressed intention of industries seeking to undermine the precautionary principle.